Southampton City Council launches new stencilling initiative to deter fly-tipping in Newtown

Chalk stencils mark hotspots as council and residents join forces to tackle fly-tipping in Newtown

Southampton City Council is launching a targeted, community-led intervention in Newtown to help tackle fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping. The new approach responds directly to local feedback and builds on successful schemes trialled elsewhere in the UK, including a 63% reduction in fly-tipping recorded in Newham. Street cleansing crews will begin applying temporary chalk stencils on pavements immediately after clearing fly-tipped waste in hotspot areas. The stencils will highlight where waste was dumped and serve as a visible reminder that fly-tipping is unacceptable, both socially and legally. The stencils and paint are being funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), part of the Government’s Levelling Up programme. 

Councillor John Savage, Cabinet Member for Environment and Net Zero, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities. It damages the environment, erodes local pride, and places unfair financial pressure on council taxpayers. We’ve listened to residents in Newtown and are proud to launch this intervention in direct response to their concerns. Thanks to UKSPF funding, we’ve been able to make this idea a reality, showing how national investment can support practical, community-led solutions here in Southampton. By working together, we can reclaim our streets and protect the places we care about.”

The stencil markings are designed to prompt behaviour change and deter repeat offending, without relying on heavy-handed enforcement. They will be used only after sites have been cleared, and the chalk paint will fade naturally over time. Funding from the UKSPF has enabled the council to pilot this approach locally, making it possible to test new ideas with communities.

Fly-tipping has a significant impact in Newtown. As recently as July, council-led clean-up efforts removed over 20 tonnes of waste, including overfilled bins, black sacks, furniture, contaminated recycling, and mattresses. Alongside the stencilling scheme, the council is also working with local volunteers to monitor known hotspot locations, encourage residents to report incidents, and raise awareness about responsible waste disposal. This initiative forms part of a wider effort to reduce fly-tipping citywide, with further community-focused campaigns planned across other wards in the coming months.

If you see an incident of fly-tipping, please do report it to us via our online form.